9 dead, dozens hurt in Mexico fireworks explosion

Friday, March 15, 2013

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities in central Mexico say at least nine people were killed and dozens injured when a pickup truck carrying fireworks caught fire and blew up during a religious celebration at a small village.

Tlaxcala state Civil Protection director Jose Morales says the explosion in Jesus Tepactepec happened as people were in a procession and a firework malfunctioned and landed on the truck carrying the rest of the fireworks.

Morales says nine people are known dead and adds that there are also injuries but he doesn’t know how many. Authorities in neighboring Puebla state say 45 injured people have been taken to hospitals in their state.